KUALA LUMPUR - Madam Mimi Abdullah is worried about her son's growth, as he is one of the smallest children in his class.
"He is nine years old, but some people think he is younger," said the 45-year-old Kuala Lumpur resident, who is not using her real name in this report to protect her son's identity.
While her son has a healthy appetite, he tends to eat fast food and snacks a lot because of the family's busy schedule, she said, adding that she tries to give him milk as the paediatrician advised them, but he dislikes the taste.
She works two jobs and often does not cook at home.
Being in the top 20 per cent of households in terms of income those who earn RM11,820 (S$3,390) and above per month she has a helper at home who cooks.
But she said her son, who is the second of two children, does not like the helper's cooking.
Almost a third of children up to four years old in Malaysia suffer from stunted growth caused by unhealthy diets, according to data from the Health Ministry revealed on Nov 1 and reported by local media.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, stunting affected around one in five - or 21.2 per cent of all children in Malaysia.
And the problem affects children on both ends of the financial spectrum. Some cases are due to the budren suffering from stunted growth.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 10, 2023 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 10, 2023 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
In elections we trust not, say many Americans
Distrust, deepened by divisive rhetoric, is stoking a crisis of confidence in the US
Not a dying trade: S'pore's funeral industry thrives as population ages
Demand rising for garlands, engraved tombstones, other funeral services
Extra $140m to support expansion of active ageing centres
Funding comes on top of $800m set aside by the Govt for them from 2024 to 2028
Under one in three aware palliative care involves therapists, pastoral team: Poll
About three in five Singaporeans know what palliative care is because they are already in the system and are using healthcare services, a recent study found.
Asean must speed up integration in a world going the other way: PM Wong
Grouping and its partners want to show cooperation is the way forward, he says
VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
The Lions got a much-needed morale booster ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship as they beat Tokyo Verdy 2-1 on Oct 11 in the second of three friendlies against J1 League opponents in their Japan training tour.
Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi
Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.
Belgium punish Italy at set pieces in 2-2 draw
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blamed bad luck, as Belgium bounced back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with his 10-man side in Rome on Oct 10 to boost their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.
CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES
England temp boss dismayed by mistakes as Three Lions lose to Greece for first time